Essential Java Fast: How to Write Object Oriented Software for the Internet in Java (Essential Series) [Paperback]

John Cowell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 26, 1997 | ISBN-10: 3540760520 | ISBN-13: 978-3540760528 | Edition: 1

Java is a new and exciting object-oriented programming language which is set to transform the world wide web. Java allows users to write applications which can be accessed across different platforms and provides an effective means of building small but powerful programs that enable a huge range of new applications - such as animation, live updating, two-way interactions etc. - to be quickly and easily implemented. As with all the 'Essential Series' books Essential Java Fast provides a highly readable and accessible introduction to the Java programming language allowing the reader to get up and running fast when developing their own programs. Software developers producing software for the Internet, those writing substantial commercial applications in a Windows environment, as well as individuals wanting to produce single versions of an application to run on any platform, should read this book from cover to cover.

Product Details

• Paperback: 186 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (November 26, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3540760520
• ISBN-13: 978-3540760528
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,772,083 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Lacking in numerous ways - not recommended, December 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Essential Java Fast: How to Write Object Oriented Software for the Internet in Java (Essential Series) (Paperback)

I wanted a slim, easily-read concise guide to Java. This book was slim.

I have never seen a programming book which contained so many broken or poorly edited code examples. In fact this is the only book I've read which didn't seem to have a _single_ correct code example. Only those readers who are accomplished C/C++ programmers will be able to get them to work. Yet look what the author says in Ch 1:

"Becoming fluent in a new programming language is difficult and time-consuming. ... The best way to learn Java is to read the early chapters and to try the examples for yourself."

That's a great idea, or it would be if the examples weren't crocks.

The text was also weak in many places and poorly-edited, though not completely unengaging. Yet the author never sees fit to identify which version of the JDK he was targeting - this is an important piece of information which he is obliged to share with his readers. It would not surprise me if the book had not been edited at all. I had had a relatively high opinion of Springer Verlag before I bought this book. Now they will really have to work hard to get me to buy another.

1.0 out of 5 stars Full of mistakes, July 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Essential Java Fast: How to Write Object Oriented Software for the Internet in Java (Essential Series) (Paperback)

I wanted a cheapish book on Java: this was cheapish, published by a reputable publisher Springer Verlag and the author was from the UK.

I'm sorry I bought it. It's full of strange mistakes: the statement c += d is said to mean c = c + Delphi (I don't know where it came from but I suspect a Global Search and Replace was responsible).

Some of the code cannot possibly compile (missing, extra ;s), some is very confusing, code to produce a window titled "Java Window" has a picture of a window titled "my Window" (the name of the variable that the window is assigned to) and so on.

I assume that I have the first edition. I'd wait for the second at least.

Incidentally the book says it was prepared from camera-ready copy supplied by the author!

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book for JDK1.02 developers, February 17, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Essential Java Fast: How to Write Object Oriented Software for the Internet in Java (Essential Series) (Paperback)

This book is great when you need to learn Java in a hurry. There's plenty of other books out there that come in over four hundred pages - but this book is straight forward and concise